Kusasenrigahama, commonly known as Kusasenri, is an expansive grassland in Aso City and Minamiaso Village, Aso District, Kumamoto Prefecture. Covering approximately 785,000 square meters, it is one of the best-known scenic destinations in the Aso region. Its wide-open grassland, ponds, and views of the surrounding mountains create a distinctive landscape that attracts visitors throughout the year.
Cattle and horses graze across the grassland, adding a pastoral character to the volcanic scenery. The combination of open fields, water, animals, and distant mountain views makes Kusasenri one of the most recognizable landscapes in the Aso area.
Kusasenrigahama lies at an elevation of approximately 1,140 meters. It is a broad, shallow double-crater landform measuring about one kilometer in diameter. The formation was created approximately 30,000 years ago by the eruption of dacitic pumice.
A low hill stands near the center, with depressions extending to the east and west. Rainwater collects in these depressions, forming ponds that contribute to the distinctive appearance of the grassland. The ponds also serve as watering places for grazing cattle and horses.
The landscape of Kusasenrigahama has been maintained over many generations by the people of the Aso region. Two traditional practices, controlled grassland burning known as noyaki and livestock grazing, have played particularly important roles in preserving the open grassland.
These activities help prevent the grassland from becoming overgrown with shrubs and trees, allowing its characteristic wide-open scenery to continue. The landscape is therefore not simply a natural feature but also the result of a long relationship between the environment and local livelihoods.
In March 2013, Kusasenrigahama and nearby Mount Komezuka were designated together as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument under the name “Komezuka and Kusasenrigahama.” The designated area covers 1,258,508 square meters.
The designation recognizes the area’s exceptional natural beauty and geological significance. Along with the broader Mount Aso landscape, Kusasenrigahama is valued for its volcanic origins, distinctive landforms, and scenery shaped by both nature and traditional land management.
The grand scenery of Mount Aso and Kusasenrigahama has inspired modern Japanese poetry and literature. The poet Tatsuo Miyoshi wrote the poetry collection Kusasenri and the poem “Oaso,” drawing on the atmosphere and landscape of the Aso region.
Poets and tanka writers Kenkichi Nakamura and Isamu Yoshii also created works inspired by this area. Their writing reflects the enduring appeal of the grassland and its place in Japan’s literary imagination.
An observation point offers sweeping views across Kusasenrigahama. From here, visitors can take in the broad grassland, the grazing cattle and horses, and the impressive mountains of Aso in the distance.
On clear days, the contrast between the blue sky and the green grassland is particularly beautiful. The scenery changes throughout the seasons, so repeat visits can offer different views of the same landscape.
Near Kusasenrigahama stands Mount Komezuka, a small volcanic hill with a beautifully symmetrical conical shape. It was formed by volcanic activity associated with Mount Aso and is one of the area’s most distinctive natural landmarks.
The hill’s smooth, rounded profile makes it especially recognizable within the surrounding landscape. Visitors can appreciate its shape from nearby viewpoints and enjoy the geological scenery that makes this part of Aso so distinctive.
Cattle and horses are among the defining features of Kusasenrigahama. Grazing freely across the grassland, they create a peaceful pastoral scene against the backdrop of the volcanic mountains.
Visitors may see the animals walking through the grass or drinking from the ponds. Their presence illustrates the continuing role of livestock grazing in the maintenance and use of the grassland.
Walking trails allow visitors to explore Kusasenrigahama on foot and appreciate its landscape at a leisurely pace. The paths cross the grassland and provide opportunities to observe the surrounding nature and grazing animals from nearby viewpoints.
A walk through this open environment offers a chance to experience the fresh mountain air and appreciate the scale of the grassland. Visitors should remain on permitted paths and avoid disturbing livestock or entering areas where access is restricted.
Cattle barns are located around Kusasenrigahama, where the grazing animals are cared for. Walking around the surrounding area offers a glimpse of the local livestock environment and the pastoral activities that support the grassland landscape.
From Aso Station on the JR Hohi Main Line, take the Kyushu Sanko Bus Aso Mountain Sightseeing Bus bound for Aso-sanjo Terminal. Get off at the Kusasenri Aso Volcano Museum-mae bus stop. Kusasenrigahama is only a short walk from the stop.
For visitors traveling by car, Kusasenrigahama is approximately 35 kilometers from the Kumamoto Interchange on the Kyushu Expressway. The drive passes through the beautiful natural scenery of the Aso region, making the journey itself part of the sightseeing experience.
Kusasenrigahama is one of Kumamoto Prefecture’s signature scenic destinations. Its expansive grassland, ponds formed within an ancient volcanic landform, and views of Mount Aso create a landscape that is both geologically remarkable and visually captivating.
The national designation as a Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument recognizes the area’s value, while traditional grassland burning and grazing have helped preserve its distinctive appearance. The landscape has also inspired poets and writers, reflecting its enduring cultural significance.
Whether enjoying the panorama from the observation point, walking along the trails, watching the grazing animals, or viewing the nearby Mount Komezuka, visitors can experience the close relationship between volcanic nature and human life that defines the Aso region.